OVERVIEW

A global technology company needed a hyperscale data center to support strategic growth and serve billions of users worldwide. Their needs extended from construction and infrastructure deployment to operations management and staff recruitment and training. As a leading data center service provider, Black Box offered a comprehensive suite of services encompassing talent acquisition, training, and retention for the construction, maintenance, and oversight of multiple data centers globally. Despite the project’s scale, Black Box upheld the highest quality standards. The scope included 20,000+ server cabinets and a fiber network stretching from Sweden to California.

Beyond core deployments, Black Box’s role has evolved though the inclusion of logistics, purchasing, project coordination, quoting, scheduling, and full project management office (PMO) support. As multiple smaller projects run in parallel, the scope of work now also covers security, network infrastructure, and building management systems (BMS).

CHALLENGES

The major challenge was meeting aggressive go-live deadlines while maintaining the highest quality standards in the industry. Although Black Box was well-equipped to deploy services at such a massive scale, this challenge was further compounded by the client's requirement to continuously operate and maintain their production environment, handling huge global traffic without disruption.

As the client’s needs evolved, Black Box faced an increasing demand for more precise scheduling, resource allocation, and project coordination due to the shift toward multiple smaller-scale projects. These rapid deployments require greater planning efficiency while maintaining quality and compliance. Over time, Black Box has become the trusted partner for both large-scale and fast-track projects, ensuring all deployments meet or exceed client expectations.

At a Glance

CHALLENGES

  • Meeting aggressive go-live deadlines for delivery and implementations
  • Maintaining the highest industry quality standards
  • Ensuring continuous operations for a production environment handling massive global traffic
  • Managing an increasing number of fast-track projects with precise scheduling and resource allocation

SOLUTIONS

  • Comprehensive hyperscale data center deployment, including ISP, OSP, DAS, BMS, and security infrastructure
  • Logistics, purchasing, project coordination, quoting, scheduling, and full PMO support
  • RunOps & Day 2 support for troubleshooting and maintenance while aligning to the QA & QC protocols
  • Recruitment, training, and talent retention program for consistent standards

RESULTS

  • Highly efficient execution of complex, large-scale, and fast-track data center projects
  • Seamless service delivery via consolidated project management and local execution model
  • Expanded scope to include high-value retrofit projects, reinforcing long-term client partnership

VALUE

  • On-time project completion while upholding the highest industry standards
  • Increased operational efficiency, reduced downtime, and proactive risk mitigation
  • Strengthened talent pipeline, ensuring expertise in critical data center infrastructure

SOLUTIONS

Black Box implemented multiple solutions to address these challenges:

  1. Infrastructure Deployment & Project Management: Black Box developed and deployed a tailored solution as per the client's requirements, ensuring seamless execution of critical infrastructure components. The scope included Inside Plant (ISP), Outside Plant (OSP), Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), Building Management Systems (BMS), Security Infrastructure, and more. Over time, Black Box expanded its role beyond deployment to include logistics, purchasing, quotations, project management, and general PMO functions. With more projects being executed in parallel, Black Box’s centralized management and local execution approach ensures efficiency at scale.

  2. RunOps & Day 2 Support: Following initial deployments, Black Box offered troubleshooting and maintenance services to ensure long-term stability and efficiency of the data center infrastructure. This step allows seamless operations of the deployed system while checking the areas for improvement. Weekly rounds enable continuous monitoring and data gathering to improvise pipelines and enhance data center operations. As part of its expanded role, Black Box now leverages internal client tools and actively supports the refinement of operational procedures and documentation.

  3. Training and Quality Assurance Programs: The client's end-to-end technical and leadership talent requirements are fulfilled by the Black Box Data Center Enablement Program. An Authorized Training Facility (ATF) certified by BICSI standards with in-house trainers is maintained. A dedicated QA & QC manager on-site ensures all activities meet client expectations and industry best practices, helping the client maintain compliance.

  4. High-Performance & Scalable Infrastructure: Black Box plays a crucial role in delivering and maintaining high-performance data center infrastructure, including over 550,000 meters of cabling, 10,000 network devices, 20,000 cabinets, and 3,000 racks, ensuring seamless connectivity and operational efficiency.

  5. End-to-End Support & Expansion into Strategic Retrofits: By providing comprehensive support across construction, implementation, and operations management, Black Box has established itself as a long-term strategic partner. The company’s integrated approach under a single PMO ensures seamless service delivery while upholding technical excellence. Recognizing Black Box’s capabilities, the client has expanded its scope of work to include large-scale retrofit projects, requiring 119,000+ labor hours. Black Box’s ability to execute complex, high-value projects while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency has made it the client’s preferred choice for continued expansion.

Deliverables

Construction and Implementation
  • Full infrastructure deployment, including cabling (ISP & OSP), networking, server racks, fiber pathways, ladder racks, and containment structures.
  • Integration of security systems, BMS, and DAS deployments.
  • Strict adherence to safety protocols, ensuring full compliance with national and local workplace health and safety regulations, standards, and codes.
RunOps and Day 2 Support
  • Troubleshooting
  • Equipment moves
  • Re-cabling of existing equipment
  • Swap/change of existing cabinets/racks
  • De-commissioning of servers, trunks, patches, ladders, and equipment
  • Documentation of changes
  • Weekly site rounds
  • Quality assurance
Key Statistics
  • 1,276,000 [m] inside cabling
  • 200,000 [m] outside cabling
  • 400,000 interconnect assembles
  • 2,745,000 [m] fiber patches
  • 320,000 [m] outside inner ducts
  • 69,000 [m] inside raceways
  • 12,766 network devices
  • 40,000 cabinets
  • 6,780 racks

Outcome

Through strategic planning, precise execution, and continuous innovation, Black Box has helped the client achieve seamless expansion while maintaining best-in-class quality and compliance. The consolidation of construction, RunOps, BMS, DAS, and other tasks managed via a single PMO ensured seamless service delivery and operational efficiency. The outcome for this global client is a state-of-the-art hyperscale data center, facilitating strategic expansion and meeting the growing demands for their services with excellence.

Why Black Box?

Black Box is the trusted partner for hyperscale data center deployment and operations, offering end-to-end expertise through a ‘Think Global, Act Local’ model. Our modular framework, led by a central PMO, seamlessly integrates infrastructure build, RunOps, automation, and technical talent under one roof. With a strong focus on quality, compliance, and speed-to-market, we support both greenfield and retrofit projects with precision and scale. Backed by BICSI-certified training, on-site QA, and a robust talent pipeline, Black Box ensures consistent, high-performance delivery across global locations.

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Industry: Data Center

Solution: Data Center

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